看世界 | 制造业掉队拖了美国设计后腿

Core Insights - iRobot, once a leading consumer robotics company, filed for bankruptcy protection and agreed to be acquired by its Chinese supplier, highlighting its decline from a market leader to a marginalized entity [1] - The fall of iRobot and 3D Robotics illustrates a broader issue within the U.S. consumer hardware industry, where reliance on the "U.S. design + offshore manufacturing" model has become a structural problem [2][3] Company Overview - iRobot was founded in 1990 and launched the Roomba vacuum cleaner in 2002, achieving significant sales milestones, including 50,000 units in its first year and over 2 million by 2005 [1] - The company maintained a strong market presence and profitability for years, even attracting a $17 billion acquisition offer from Amazon four to five years ago [1] Industry Dynamics - The initial success of companies like iRobot and 3D Robotics was due to their ability to convert concepts into products during the early market exploration phase, where competition was based on product existence rather than refinement [3] - As the market matured, competition shifted towards supply chain efficiency and product reliability, requiring companies to innovate closely aligned with manufacturing and real-world usage [3][4] Competitive Landscape - New entrants in the market have adopted a rapid iteration model, allowing them to quickly improve their products based on user feedback and real-world data, leading to significant advancements in features and performance [4][5] - U.S. companies continue to rely on patent protection and brand premium, resulting in longer product iteration cycles and widening competitive gaps [5] Policy Implications - The U.S. government's protective measures, such as tariffs and export controls, may hinder the competitive drive of domestic companies, ultimately leading to a decline in innovation and market position [5][6] - A shift towards providing an open and fair competitive environment is necessary for U.S. consumer hardware companies to maintain their leading status in the global market [6]